“Therefore let us not pass judgement on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” Romans 14:13 ESV
Puppies who have not had all their shots are to be handled in a certain way so that they do not pick up any germs, become ill, or get contaminated in any way. I watched a tutorial on how to handle these babies and there are quite of lot of rules and advice offered for a novice.
To contaminate means to make impure by exposure to or the addition of a poisonous or polluting substance. You are supposed to wear gloves and change clothes between holding puppies from different litters. For them to play and go to the bathroom, they recommend a shower curtain be placed on the grass so they don’t pick up anything from the ground. A puppy is to be handled with care.
Paul offers a lot of advice for us in Romans 14. In verse 14 he says, “I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. In verse 20, he goes on to say, “Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.”
I’m sure we would have the same discussion today about meat offered to idols. Some would say everything is allowed because of Jesus. Others might think it was contaminated due to the meat being offered to other so-called gods. Paul takes the stand that everything is clean and allowed but if another Christian isn’t convinced, don’t do it. Don’t do anything that might make someone doubt or stumble.
You might know you are right but Philippians 2:3 tells us to value others above ourselves. We want new Christians to grow in Christ. We do not want to do anything in front of them intentionally that would cause them to fall. James 1:27 states, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
New Christians can learn from all the advice offered. They can stay uncontaminated by the world if we just handle with care and set a good example.
Just Another Dog Devotion 